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MISSIONARY  ADVANCE 

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IN  THE 


PACIFIC  ISLANDS 


BY  REV.  FRANCIS  M.  .PRICE, 

Missionary  of  the  America r Board  in  the  Caroline  Islands. 


B.  36.  C.  3f.  /IB., 


Francis  M.  Tri,ce, 
Lonsdale,  R.  I; 


boston,  July,  1899. 


MISSIONARY  EXPANSION  IN  THE  PACIFIC  ISLANDS. 


We  are  urged  to  enlarge  our  work  in  the  Islands  of  the  Pacific, 

1.  By  the  noble  changes  wrought  by  the  gospel  in  these  islands.  Mission- 
aries have  been  at  work  in  the  Caroline  Islands  forty-seven  years.  Thirty 
communities,  representing  more  than  200  islands  and  islets,  are  now  evan- 
gelized. They  have  been  transformed  by  the  gospel.  War  has  ceased, 
polygamy  has  disappeared,  lawful  marriage  has  taken  the  place  of  loose 
and  lustful  pairing  of  men  and  women,  and  new  occupations  and  ideals 
engage  the  attention  of  the  people.  They  have  discarded  the  outward 
forms  of  heathenism,  put  on,  to  a large  extent,  the  dress  of  civilization,  and 
are  rapidly  acquiring  a knowledge  of  many  useful  arts.  Every  one  of  these 
thirty  communities  has  a native  Christian  teacher  and  his  family,  and  a 
church  building  in  which  are  held  the  usual  Sunday  services,  daily  morning 
and  evening  prayers,  and  a day  school  in  which  the  primary  branches  are 
taught.  A German  trader,  himself  not  a Christian,  while  on  a visit  to  Ruk, 
attended  the  Sabbath  services.  He  saw  the  people  clothed  and  in  their 
right  minds,  observed  their  good  behavior,  their  attention  to  the  teaching, 
their  responses  to  the  questions,  their  repeating  the  Commandments  and 
the  singing  of  Christian  hymns,  and  came  away,  saying:  “The  change  is 
simply  wonderful  ; I never  saw  anything  like  it.” 

2.  Again  we  are  urged  to  this  mo by  the  open  doors  before  us.  All 
these  evangelized  islands  lie  in  or  east  of  the  Ruk  lagoon.  Other  islands 
lying  to  the  westward  have  long  waited,  and  are  now  calling  for  us  to  “ come 
over  and  help”  them.  Forty-seven  years  ago  our  missionaries  were  not 
wanted  in  the  Carolines ; the  people  were  joined  to  their  idols  and  wanted 
to  be  let  alone.  But  a great  change  has  come  over  them.  In  the  olden 
time,  when  a native  sailor  stepped  ashore  on  a distant  island  and  was 
greeted  with  the  question:  “What  news  in  your  country  ? ” he  must  reply 
by  recounting  deeds  of  lust,  war,  bloodshed,  and  death ; and  prurient 
crowds  talked  over  these  grewsome  stories  and  became  more  and  more 


3 

debased.  Now  the  sailor  has  another  story  and  different:  “The  people  in 
my  land  have  accepted  the  religion  of  life.”  Wars  and  fighting  have 
ceased,  we  travel  about  from  island  to  island,  and  there  is  none  to  molest  or 
make  afraid.  We  do  not  paint  our  bodies  nor  wear  our  hair  long  and  great 
strings  of  beads  and  charms  in  our  ears  as  formerly  ; but  we  put  on  clothing 
made  of  foreign  cloth,  go  to  church  twice  every  day,  keep  one  day  in  seven 
as  a day  of  rest  and  worship,  and  our  children  are  taught  to  read,  and  write, 
and  sing.  Wondering  crowds  have  listened  to  these  stories  and  gone  away 
puzzled  and  to  ponder.  They  are  not  told,  neither  do  they  ask,  very  much 
about  the  teaching.  It  is  the  change  that  has  come  over  their  neighbors  in 
“the  lands  of  the  face  of  the  day”  that  attracts  their  attention.  They  have 
seen  the  beauty  of  the  Bride’s  garments  from  afar. 

Two  years  ago  the  king  of  an  island  300  miles  away  sent  a request  by 
a sailor  on  a trading  schooner,  to  come  and  tell  his  people  about  “the 
religion  of  life,”  and  one  enthusiastic  young  chief  sent  word  by  a Japanese 
trader  that  he  would  give  me  $2  if  I would  locate  a teacher  at  his  place. 
Thus  a waiting  people  has  been  prepared  for  us.  The  time  could  not  be 
more  opportune.  “Lift  up  your  eyes  and  look  on  the  fields;  for  they  are 
white  already  to  the  harvest.” 

3.  The  lifting  of  the  American  flag  among  these  islands  is  God's  summons 
to  the  American  churches  to  evangelize  their  peoples.  The  victory  at  Manila 
threw  open  a door  of  blessing  to  many  oppressed  people,  and  we  should 
now  hear  the  Master’s  bugle  call  to  the  missionary  to  go  into  this  island 
world  with  the  message  of  salvation. 

Other  societies  have  their  allotted  fields,  but  to  the  American  Board  is 
conceded  the  task  of  evangelizing  the  Ladrone  Islands.  The  American 
flag  now  floats  over  Guam,  the  best  and  most  important  island  of  the  group, 
and  America  must  have  her  share  in  shaping  the  future  history  of  the 
people.  Not  only  this,  but  Guam  will  be  as  a city  set  on  a hill  among 
the  islands  of  Micronesia.  American  missionaries  carried  the  gospel  to  the 
people  of  Eastern  Micronesia  and  the  name  of  our  country  is  ever  on  their 
lips.  Expectant  eyes  now  look  to  Guam  to  see  what  America  is  like,  and 
Guam  must  be  made  a center  of  the  best  that  our  civilization  can  give. 
I his  means  that  we  give  them  the  gospel,  with  its  churches,  and  schools, 
and  other  Christian  institutions.  Surely  the  dictates  of  patriotism,  as  well 
as  obedience  to  our  glorified  Lord  Jesus,  urge  us  to  “ take  up  the  white 


4 


man’s  burden,”  and  send  forth  chosen  men  and  beloved  who  are  willing  to 
“ hazard  their  lives  for  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus.” 

What,  then,  do  we  propose  in  order  to  meet  our  most  pressing  obliga- 
tions in  this  island  world  ? 

(1)  Reenter  Ponape.  A little  band  of  faithful,  persecuted  Christians 
in  Ponape  await  the  return  of  their  missionary  fathers  so  ruthlessly  driven 

out  nine  years  ago,  and  the  money  is  in  hand  to  meet  the  expense.  That 

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we  shall  re-occupy  Ponape  is  a foregone  conclusion. 

(2)  Open  two  new  stations  in  the  Caroline  and  Ladrone  islands  — at 
Yap  and  Guam.  The  accompanying  sketch  map  will  show  at  a glance  the 
relative  positions  of  Ponape,  Ruk,  Guam,  and  Yap,  and  their  convenience 
and  importance  as  centers  for  conducting  the  work  in  the  above-named 
islands : 


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A glance  at  the  map  will  show  that  Ruk  is  about  the  center  of  the 
Caroline  group.  It  consists  of  sixteen  beautiful  high  islands  surrounded 
by  a reef  135  miles  in  circumference,  has  many  fine,  commodious  harbors, 
and  a population  of  150,000.  The  headquarters  of  the  Ruk  Mission  of  the 
American  Board  are  at  Taloas,  in  the  Ruk  lagoon,  where  there  are  two 
large  training  schools  for  boys  and  girls,  a schooner  and  other  facilities  for 
touring  among  the  islands  of  the  Eastern  Carolines,  and  a sufficient 
missionary  force.  Ponape,  370  miles  from  Ruk,  has,  with  adjacent  islands, 
7,000  people. 


5 


Guam,  the  southernmost  island  of  the  Ladrone  group,  is  a large,  high 
island,  600  miles  west  by  north  of  Ruk.  It  has  a population  of  10,000  who 
speak  a corrupt  Spanish  — a language  distinct  from  those  of  the  Caroline 
group.  Being  now  a station  of  the  United  States  Navy,  our  ships  will  visit 
her  at  regular  intervals,  carrying  mails  and  supplies.  Through  Guam  we 
shall  come  in  touch  with  the  homeland  ; it  will  naturally  be  the  base  of  sup- 
plies for  our  mission. 

The  Mortlock  group,  consisting  of  three  atolls  with  seven  inhabited 
islands,  lie  south  by  east  of  Ruk  160  miles,  and  Nukuor  is  140  miles  farther 
southeast. 

Yap  is  900  miles  west  by  north  of  Ruk  and  1,000  miles  from  Manila. 
Between  Ruk  and  Yap  are  two  main  groups  of  islands  and  many  scattered 
islets.  The  Pelew  Islands  are  250  miles  southwest  of  Yap  and  500  miles 
from  Mindanao.  The  languages  of  the  Pelew  and  Oliai  groups  are  closely 
allied  to  that  of  Yap;  the  other  islands  have  a language  more  like  that  of 
Ruk. 

In  the  South  Pacific  the  trade-winds  blow  for  six  months  in  the  year, 
prevailingly  from  the  northeast.  With  our  many  and  widely  scattered 
islands,  sailing  is  necessarily  an  important  part  of  our  work.  Soon  we  shall 
have  a new  Robert  IV.  Logan  for  this  region,  which  can  as  well  do  the  work 
for  all  the  islands  as  for  the  limited  number  she  now  visits,  and  with  very 
little  additional  cost,  and  this  schooner  can  lay  her  course  during  the  trade- 
wind  season  from  Guam  to  Nukuor  and  return  with  “ three  sheets  in  the 
wind  ” both  ways.  Traveling  along  this  line  will  be  rapid  and  unhindered 
by  adverse  winds.  From  Ponape  westward  the  ship  will  fly  before  a lead- 
ing wind,  but  must  beat  her  way  back  with  much  labor.  Guam  is  therefore 
within  easy  access  of  Ruk  and  the  Central  Carolines,  and  reasonably  so  of 
Ponape,  but  difficult  to  re.ach  from  Yap. 

Notice,  now,  the  plan  and  estimate  of  costs  for  opening  this  work  and 
continuing  it  five  years  : 


First  year,  1900.  Open  the  station  at  Guam. 

Salaries  for  two  families,  at  $700  each,  . . . $1,400 

Two  dwellings,  at  $1,250  each,  . . . 2,500 

Opening  of  Boys’  school  and  incidentals,  . 300 

Outfit  and  traveling  expenses  of  missionaries,  . . i,8oo 

Total  for  first  year, 


$6,000 


6 


Second  year,  1901.  Continue  at  Guam  and  open  Yap. 

Guam:  Salaries  of  two  families  and  one  single  lady,  . $1,700 

Schools  and  incidentals,  .....  300 

Girls’  school  building,  .....  1,250 

Yap:  Salary  of  one  family,  ....  700 

Dwelling  house,  ......  1.250 

Opening  of  Boys’  school  and  incidentals,  . . 200 

Outfit  and  traveling  expenses  of  missionaries,  . 1,000 

Total  for  second  year,  ....  $6,400 

Third  year,  1902.  Continue  both  stations. 

Guam : Salaries,  two  families  and  two  single  ladies,  . $2,000 

Schools  and  incidentals,  ....  400 

Yap:  Salaries,  one  family  and  one  single  lady,  . . t,ooo 

Schools  and  incidentals,  ....  300 

Girls’ school  building,  .....  1,250 

Total  for  third  year,  .....  $4,950 

Fourth  year,  1903.  Continue  and  enlarge  at  both  stations. 

Guam : Salaries,  as  above,  ....  $2,000 

Both  schools,  ......  500 

Teachers,  .......  100 

Yap:  Salaries,  one  family  and  two  ladies,  . . 1,300 

Schools,  .......  400 

Teachers,  .......  150 

Total  for  fourth  year,  .....  $4,450 

Fifth  year,  1904.  Continue  and  enlarge  at  both  stations. 

Guam  : Salaries  as  above,  .....  $2,000 

Schools,  .......  500 

Teachers,  .......  150 

Yap:  Salaries,  as  above,  .....  1,300 

Schools,  . . . . . . 500 

Teachers,  .......  150 

Total  for  fifth  year,  .....  $4,600 


Separating  the  stations,  we  have  : 

Cost  of  Guam  alone:  First  year,  $6,000;  Second  year,  $3,250;  Third 
year,  $2,400;  Fourth  year,  $2,600  ; Fifth  year,  $2,650;  Contingent  for  five 
years,  $1,000,  or  total  cost  of  Guam  for  five  years,  $17,900  — $3,580  a year. 

Cost  of  Yap  alone-.  Second  year,  $3,150;  Third  year,  $2,550;  Fourth 
year,  $1,750;  Fifth  year,  $1,950;  Contingent  for  five  years,  $700,  or  total 
cost  of  Yap  for  five  years,  $10,100 — $2,020  a year. 

These  estimates  cover  tlYe  amount  needed  to  open  and  carry  on  the 
work  at  both  Guam  and  Yap  for  five  years  and  provide  for  three  dwelling 
houses  for  families  and  two  buildings  for  girls.  It  is  expected  that  the 


7 


boys  will  earn  money  and  put  up  their  own  school  buildings.  They  also 
include  cost  of  outfits  and  traveling  expenses  of  outgoing  missionaries  and 
a contingent  of  $1,700  to  meet  incidental  expenses. 

The  following  are  two  of  the  recommendations  of  the  sub-committee 
which  the  Prudential  Committee  have  adopted  : 

We  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  five  years’  plan  presented  by  Mr.  Price,  with  such 
changes,  modifications,  and  improvements  as  time  and  experience  may  suggest,  the  same 
to  go  into  effect  only  when  valid  pledges  in  sufficient  amount  have  been  secured. 

We  recommend,  and  encourage,  and  urge  our  brother  and  helper,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Price, 
to  find  one  man,  if  possible,  who  will  establish  this  new  work  on  Guam,  and,  under  the 
protection  and  support  of  our  nation’s  flag,  make  it  headquarters  and  base  of  missionary 
supplies  for  the  new  and  enlarged  work  in  the  Caroline  Islands;  that  he  give  the  mission 
his  name  if  he  choose,  and  that  he  assume  the  support  of  the  work  for  the  next  five 
years.  Failing  to  find  one  man  thus  to  undertake  this  work,  we  recommend  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Price  to  offer  the  establishment  and  support  of  this  new  work  on  Guam  and  the  other 
islands,  for  the  next  five  years,  to  a limited  number  of  persons  in  shares  or  proportional 
parts.  . . . 

Most  gladly  would  we  receive  gifts  for  the  support  of  this  noble  work. 
We  are  assured  that  no  work  can  be  more  Christlike,  no  work  yield  more 
rapid  returns,  or  larger,  for  the  outlay,  and  that  no  work  offers  a safer  in- 
vestment, or  promises  greater  satisfaction  to  those  who  give.  These  poor, 
neglected,  waiting  people  reach  out  pleading  hands  for  deliverance.  Who 
will  respond  by  sending  them  the  gospel?  Pledges  for  500  shares  of  $10 
each  for  five  years  will  assure  the  success  of  this  plan. 

Will  you  take  one  or  more  shares?  If  so,  kindly  fill  out  the  blank  on 
the  next  page  and  forward  it  to  the  treasurer  of  the  American  Board, 
F.  H.  Wiggin,  No.  14  Beacon  Street,  Boston. 

There  may  be  those  of  larger  means  who  will  see  the  call  of  the  Mas- 
ter in  this  offer  of  the  Prudential  Committee,  and  desire  to  respond  either 
by  memorial  gift  or  thank-offering.  Does  this  call  come  to  you?  If  so, 
will  you  select  one  of  the  following  objects  and  avail  yourself  of  the  privi- 
lege of  giving  a name  to  the  station,  school,  or  building? 

The  station  at  Guam:  the  entire  cost  for  five  years  will  be  $3,580  a year. 

The  station  at  Yap : the  entire  cost  will  be  $2,020  a year  for  five  years. 

Girls'  school  at  Guam : the  cost  will  be  $1,000  a year  for  five  years. 

Girls'  school  building  alone  at  Guam:  cost  entire,  $1,500. 

Girls'  school  at  Yap : the  entire  cost  will  be  $700  a year  for  five  years. 

Girls'  school  building  at  Yap : cost  complete,  $1,500. 


8 


The  Harbor  of  Yap. 


For  the  opening  and  support  of  work  in  the  Caroline  and  Ladrone 
Islands,  I promise  to  pay  The  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for 

Foreign  Mission  $ annually  for 

five  successive  years,  payments  to  be  made  on  or  before  January  i,  1900, 
1901,  1902,  1903,  and  1904. 

Name, 


Address, 


Date, 


